The interviews discovered “instances of carlessness” from Biden’s vice presidency.
QUICK FACTS:
- Federal officials have conducted an estimated 100 witness interviews over the last nine months involving those close to then-Vice President Joe Biden’s handling of classified materials.
- The investigation is led by Trump-era U.S. Attorney Special Counsel Robert Hur.
- In January, Hur promised to conduct a “fair, impartial, and dispassionate” investigation.
- “I intend to follow the facts swiftly and thoroughly, without fear or favor, and will honor the trust placed in me to perform this service,” the attorney special counsel said in a statement.
- Sources present during some of the interviews shared with ABC News that the removal of classified materials was more likely a “mistake” than a criminal deed.
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a longtime aide for Biden, was one of the individuals interviewed.
- The investigation is ongoing.
CONTENT OF THE INTERVIEWS:
- Authorities investigating the matter showed witnesses email chains dating to 2010.
- Witnesses have also been questioned regarding the usage of cabinets and safes.
- Former military aides are reportedly being asked about procedures for handling classified documents, according to an ABC News report.
- Investigators are also inquiring about an iPad and cell phone Biden used, asking if he may have housed materials on the devices or other notetaking efforts.
- Former executive assistant to Biden, Michelle Reed, has also been mentioned in interviews, as investigators are inquiring how Biden’s aides handled classified documents.
BACKGROUND:
- The Department of Justice (DOJ) spent millions more on the Trump document investigation than the Biden document investigation, American Faith reported.
- Nine million taxpayer dollars have been poured into the investigation of Trump’s handling of classified materials, whereas only $1.2 million has been spent on investigating Biden’s mishandling of classified documents.
- Between November 18, 2022, to March 31, 2023, Smith spent $5.5 million, while other DOJ agencies spent an estimated $3.8 million on the Trump investigation.
- Between January 12, 2023, to March 31, 2023, Hur spent just $615,962 on the Biden investigation, with the DOJ contributing another $572,185.
- According to Smith’s expenditures, roughly $2.7 million was spent to pay those investigating, and $1.9 million was spent on contractual expenses.
